There are some fantastic festivals taking place up and down the UK this summer.

Not all of them cater for young families who are looking to attend a fun event.

But there's a wonderful line-up of activities planned across the West Midlands which are perfect for those with kids.

And the good news is, the West Midlands is on the up – and now it has a rail service to match to get you there!

We told recently how the West Midlands is set to become Britain's new capital of cool, with Coventry the UK’s City of Culture for 2021, Leamington Spa voted one of the happiest places to live in the UK and a real buzz around Birmingham.

West Midlands Railway is investing millions to make it easier and comfier to travel to and around the region by train - and a new timetable has just been launched too, promising a boost to the region’s rail travel with some great new services being introduced plus a brand new app.

The West Midlands is packed with things to do, so make tracks for a fun day out at one of these fantastic family-friendly festivals...

The Big Victorian Picnic

WHEN: June 8

WHERE: Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa

ABOUT: Bring a picnic and a blanket and take a step back in time to the Pump Room Gardens in their ­Victorian heyday. There’ll be music from the newly restored ­bandstand, Victorian fete activities, as well as a range of food, drink and craft stalls. There’s also face painting and have-a-go pottery in the Pump Rooms Art Gallery & Museum. Admission is free and it runs from 11am to 3pm.

Shrewsbury Food Festival

WHEN: June 29-30

WHERE: Shrewsbury town centre and Quarry Park

ABOUT: The food festival will have 200 ­exhibitors, a bigger, better BBQ area, demonstrations, a chef school, live music, activities for kids and a “free from” area dedicated to vegans and vegetarians. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults and £35 for families.

Godiva Festival 2019

WHEN: JULY 5–7

WHERE: War Memorial Park, Coventry

ABOUT: The Levellers and Busted headline the free three-day event offering live music, family entertainment, ­international food and drink, a craft village and a children’s fun fair. The festival provides a stage to celebrate the huge diversity of creative talent in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Simmer Down Festival 2019

WHEN: July 21

WHERE: Handsworth Park, Birmingham

ABOUT: In just over five years, SDF has become one of the most diverse free festivals in Birmingham. It features music, dance and spoken word acts across three stages. There are educational ­workshops and family activities including face painting, small rides, a cricket match and food stalls.